First of the Fuzzy Wuzzy hoards

It seems to have taken me an absolute age, but the first of what I hope will be hoards of Fuzzy Wuzzies are ready for varnishing.

These fellows are armed with rifles and a pair of 7pdr brass mountain guns, likely taken in the aftermath of the first battle of El Teb in February 1884.

Rifle armed warriors caused the British no end of torment, especially when camped at night. Contemporary accounts relate that their fire was more than merely a nuisance, often inflicting wounds on animals and men, and sometimes wounds were fatal.

The first band of rifle-armed Hadendowa warriors. The gun crews are in the foreground, converted from metal and plastic figures, with one fellow pulling a friction fuse lanyard.

These North Star 7pdr brass mountain guns are tiny, just 35mm muzzle to trail.